Elections in Pakistan are just days away, but the troubles there show no sign of abating. Before the election, there is some commotion every day. Now a women’s organization has urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to take immediate legal action against political parties that ignore the mandatory women’s quota while allocating seats for the February 8 elections.
According to Pakistan’s rules, it is mandatory for every political party to field at least 5 percent women candidates for the general seats of the National Assembly and four provincial assemblies. According to media reports, the Aurat Foundation has sponsored members of parliament from Pakistan Peoples Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, Awami National Party, Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan, Jamiat Ulema-e-A, Islam-Fazal, Balochistan National Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Muttahida. A complaint has been filed against the Qaumi Movement in the Election Commission of Pakistan that these parties have not fielded women. There has been a violation of the prescribed provisions regarding the issue of tickets. Then the Election Commission should take action against these parties.
Imran’s party was not mentioned in the complaint
Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has not been named in the complaint. Because the party has been deprived of its election symbol. Apart from the country, the four provincial assemblies that will hold elections are the provinces of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
However, PPP leader Farhatullah Babar denied the allegation and claimed that the party has fielded more than 5 percent women candidates in general seats. He also said that even in the 2018 general elections, the PPP had fielded more than 5 percent women candidates.
What is the rule for women seats in Pakistan?
Orat Foundation, on the other hand, has presented a dismal picture of women’s participation in elections after reviewing the candidates fielded by at least 8 political parties contesting for the National Assembly and four provincial assemblies.
Section 206 of the Elections Act 2017 says that political parties shall give tickets to women in at least 5 per cent of the general seats in each assembly. Section 217 of the Act provides punishment for violation of any provision of the Election Act 2017 by political parties.
Orat Foundation has complained to the Commission to take up the matter with immediate effect and take strict action under Section 217 and other provisions of the law against political parties violating the provisions of the Elections Act 2017 and the Code of Conduct. However, now only 3 days are left for voting.
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